Barbara Jean Ellis Clary, known by friends and loved ones alike as Jeannie, died on December 28, 2018, after a protracted and grueling battle with cancer.

Born into an Air Force family, in Lubbock, Texas, on April 4, 1956, young Jeannie lived in four states and one foreign country by age 11. Jeannie embraced each new adventure with great energy and enthusiasm. Fearless, determined, and strong-willed, she wanted to explore everything about each new place she lived.

Jeannie loved being outdoors and participating in every neighborhood sport including climbing trees with the boys as well as racing those boys whether on foot, on bicycles, or on her motorcycle as teen – and generally winning.  She also participated in tennis and track at school. For a period of two years, Jeannie constantly had at least one skinned knee from these activities. In high school, Jeannie spent a year assisting the football coach as an apprentice athletic trainer and took each win and loss as much to heart as any of the players.

After her father's retirement from the military in 1968, the family moved from New Mexico to Texas. She graduated from Amarillo High. After attending classes at West Texas State in Canyon, Texas, she traveled and worked at a number of interesting places. From corporate offices in town to large farms where she learned to drive almost any motorized vehicle or mechanized equipment rig on wheels, just because she wanted to know how, even though, in some cases, that was not her job. Jeannie was ever curious – loving to learn and discover.

In 1991, Jeannie met the man who would change her life while attending church in Dallas, Texas. In Patrick Clary, she found her true match. They married on December 27th, 1992 and made their home in Dallas until Patrick completed his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. In 1994, Dr. and Mrs. Clary moved to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, where their practice was established. Jeannie dedicated herself to patiently helping her husband build the practice, having belief and confidence in him when he did not have it in himself.

Jeannie and Patrick shared many, many interests. They cherished even mundane tasks, as long as they were together. As true dog lovers, each had a dog at the time of their marriage, and through the years, many more became part of their family. Being especially fond of the Lhasa Apso breed, they began participating in conformation dog shows in 2008. They both truly enjoyed the varied aspects of the dog show world, especially meeting other dog fanciers and bonding over their shared interests. Though her health eventually forced her to stop working at the practice, Jeannie was able to be with her beloved dogs and attend the occasional dog show with Patrick, where they could find camaraderie and support from their friends.

Jeannie was both artistic and mechanical and had a brilliant gift for design and décor. She was an important resource to her friends and family when remodeling or designing a new home or business. Her attention to detail was amazing. Jeannie also had a very green thumb and, for a time, was known for her beautiful flower beds.

Jeannie was a courageous person and she battled her illness with uncommon grace, poise, and determination. (Unbeknownst to many, Jeannie also suffered from constant, unrelenting pain for over thirty-seven years following a surgical procedure.) Patrick's selfless devotion and her intense desire to not leave him enabled her to continue to fight long after traditional treatment had ceased to be efficacious. She often told those close to her that her biggest concern was for her beloved husband.

Jeannie was strong in her Christian faith and believed that eternity with her loving, triune God awaited her and that she will be united with her believing loved ones in time. Those of us who are left behind will miss her love of life, her insight, her wit, her brilliant intellect, and her forthrightness – calling things as she saw them without backing down, as well as her intense love for all of us until that day comes. Those include her beloved husband of 26 years and one day, Dr. Patrick Clary; her parents, Robert and Barbara Ellis of Prescott, AZ; sisters Donna (Jim) Wyatt and Susan Ellis of Scottsdale, AZ; brother Robert J. Ellis of Portland OR; aunt Sylvia Swinford of Lubbock, TX; and many cousins including Jill Andrews, also of Lubbock.

The family would especially like to thank Mrs. Sherry Ashley, who cared for Jeannie like a sister until the end; Pastor Ronnie Hardin, for his friendship and spiritual support; Robert Jones, for working to ease her constant pain; and Jamaica Allen, for her friendship, support, and shouldering the load at the office.

No local service will be held. The family will gather in Arizona to celebrate Jeannie's life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lhasa Apso Rescue, the Celiac Disease Foundation, or Park Hill Baptist Church in Arkadelphia.